Treatment for bone diseases

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the treatment of bone disorders. In particular, the invention is directed to the use of a dosing holiday to help overcome the resistance to anti-sclerostin antibodies which develops over time when a plurality of doses of antibody are given to a subject. By giving the subject to be treated such a dosing holiday, the subject may subsequently display an increased response to a subsequent dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody. The subject may be given multiple cycles of a batch of at least two doses of anti-sclerostin antibody and a dosing holiday. In some instances, the subject may be monitored to help determine when to give the dosing holiday. Further, the subject may be given a different treatment for the bone disorder during the dosing holiday from the anti-sclerostin antibody.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/668,210, filed Jul. 5, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/782,072, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The following applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/410,540 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,003,108), filed Apr. 25, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/792,645, filed Apr. 17, 2006, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/782,244, filed Mar. 13, 2006, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/776,847, filed Feb. 24, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/677,583, filed May 3, 2005; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/411,003 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,592,429), filed Apr. 25, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/792,645, filed Apr. 17, 2006, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/782,244, filed Mar. 13, 2006, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/776,847, filed Feb. 24, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/677,583, filed May 3, 2005. The following applications also are hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/668,210, filed Jul. 5, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/212,327 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,017,120), filed Sep. 17, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/973,024, filed Sep. 17, 2007; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/811,171, filed Jun. 29, 2010, which is a U.S. National Phase Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US08/86864, filed on Dec. 15, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/013,917, filed Dec. 14, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to methods of treating bone disorders using anti-sclerostin antibodies.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

Incorporated by reference in its entirety is a computer-readable nucleotide/amino acid sequence listing submitted concurrently herewith and identified as follows: ASCII (text) file named “40016B SubSeqListing.txt,”800,957 bytes, created on Oct. 3, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Loss of bone mineral content can be caused by a wide variety of conditions and may result in significant medical problems. For example, osteoporosis is a debilitating disease in humans and is characterized by marked decreases in skeletal bone mass and mineral density, structural deterioration of bone, including degradation of bone microarchitecture and corresponding increases in bone fragility (i.e., decreases in bone strength), and susceptibility to fracture in afflicted individuals. Osteoporosis in humans is generally preceded by clinical osteopenia (bone mineral density that is greater than one standard deviation but less than 2.5 standard deviations below the mean value for young adult bone), a condition found in approximately 25 million people in the United States. Another 7-8 million patients in the United States have been diagnosed with clinical osteoporosis (defined as bone mineral content greater than 2.5 standard deviations below that of mature young adult bone). The frequency of osteoporosis in the human population increases with age. Among Caucasians, osteoporosis is predominant in women who, in the United States, comprise 80% of the osteoporosis patient pool. The increased fragility and susceptibility to fracture of skeletal bone in the aged is aggravated by the greater risk of accidental falls in this population. Fractured hips, wrists, and vertebrae are among the most common injuries associated with osteoporosis. Hip fractures in particular are extremely uncomfortable and expensive for the patient, and for women, correlate with high rates of mortality and morbidity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The summary below is not intended to define every aspect of the invention, and additional aspects are described in other sections, such as the Detailed Description. The entire document is intended to be related as a unified disclosure, and it should be understood that all combinations of features described herein are contemplated, even if the combination of features are not found together in the same sentence, or paragraph, or section of this document. With respect to aspects of the invention described or claimed with “a” or “an,” it should be understood that these terms mean “one or more” unless context unambiguously requires a more restricted meaning. The term “or” should be understood to encompass items in the alternative or together, unless context unambiguously requires otherwise. If aspects of the invention are described as “comprising” a feature, embodiments also are contemplated “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” the feature. Where the term “about” is used the application also discloses employing the exact value specified.

Antibodies against sclerostin may be used to treat bone disorders, as they both promote bone formation and inhibit bone resorption. After multiple doses of anti-sclerostin antibody are administered, resistance to the antibody may though develop, where the response to the antibody is diminished and is lower than the “naïve” response seen when the anti-sclerostin antibody is administered for the first time to a subject. Such resistance may reduce the efficacy of treatment, particularly for subjects who have chronic conditions that require long term treatment.

Unexpectedly, it has now been shown that the development of such resistance is reversible. In particular, by allowing patients a dosing holiday, where they are not administered the anti-sclerostin antibody, the subject may once again show a higher response to a subsequent dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody. In some cases, multiple cycles of a batch of at least two doses of the anti-sclerostin antibody, followed by a dosing holiday, are performed, so that the subject may be given anti-sclerostin antibody treatment over a prolonged period, whilst minimizing the development of resistance to the antibody.

The method may be, in some instances, combined with monitoring for resistance to the antibody, such as by monitoring the response seen, to help optimize when best to give the patient the dosing holiday. Further, in some instances, the patient may be treated with a different therapy for the bone disorder in the dosing holiday for the anti-sclerostin antibody. In particular, the subject may be administered bisphosphonates during the dosing holiday. That has the further advantage that it means the subject is not treated continuously with the other therapy. For instance, it may be beneficial for subjects to have a break from treatment with another therapeutic, such as bisphosphonates, and cycling between antibody and bisphosphonate treatment also helps avoid continuous treatment with bisphosphonates. In some instances, the different therapy may be an anti-resorptive which is not a bisphosphonate, including any of those discussed herein.

Hence, the present invention provides a method for treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises:

-   -   (a) administering a batch of at least two doses of         anti-sclerostin antibody to a subject in need of such treatment;     -   (b) then allowing the subject a dosing holiday, which is greater         in length than the time interval been two successive doses in         the batch of (a); and     -   (c) administering to the subject at least one further dose of         anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b).

The invention further provides a method for treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises:

-   -   (a) administering at least one dose of anti-sclerostin antibody         to the subject and monitoring the subject to identify whether         the subject shows a reduced response to a dose of the         anti-sclerostin antibody; and     -   (b) if such a reduced response is identified, allowing the         subject a dosing holiday which is at least four weeks in length.

The invention also provides a method for treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises:

-   -   (a) administering a batch of at least two doses of         anti-sclerostin antibodies to a subject in need of such         treatment and monitoring the subject to identify when the         subject shows a reduced response to a dose of the         anti-sclerostin antibody;     -   (b) when such a reduced response is identified, allowing the         subject a dosing holiday which is greater in length than the         time interval been two successive doses in the batch of (a); and     -   (c) administering to the subject at least one further dose of         anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b).

The invention also provides a method for treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises:

-   -   (a) administering to a subject in need of such treatment a batch         of at least two doses of anti-sclerostin antibody;     -   (b) then allowing the subject a dosing holiday which is greater         in length than the interval been two successive doses in the         batch of (a), where during that interval the subject is         administered a different treatment for the bone disorder; and     -   (c) after the dosing holiday of (b) administering to the subject         at least one further dose of anti-sclerostin antibody.

The invention further provides an anti-sclerostin antibody for use in a method of treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises:

-   -   (a) administering a batch of at least two doses of         anti-sclerostin antibody to a subject in need of such treatment;     -   (b) then allowing the subject a dosing holiday, which is greater         in length than the time interval been two successive doses in         the batch of (a); and     -   (c) administering to the subject at least one further dose of         anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b).

Also provided by the invention is an anti-sclerostin antibody for use in a method for treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises:

-   -   (a) administering at least one dose of anti-sclerostin antibody         to a subject in need of such treatment and monitoring the         subject to identify whether the subject shows a reduced response         to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody; and     -   (b) if such a reduced response is identified, allowing the         subject a dosing holiday which is at least four weeks in length.

Further provided by the invention is an anti-sclerostin antibody for use in a method of treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises:

-   -   (a) administering a batch of at least two doses of         anti-sclerostin antibody to a subject in need of such treatment         and monitoring the subject to identify when the subject shows a         reduced response to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody;     -   (b) when such a reduced response is identified, allowing the         subject a dosing holiday which is greater in length than the         time interval been two successive doses in the batch of (a); and     -   (c) administering to the subject at least one further dose of         anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b).

The invention also provides for the use of an anti-sclerostin antibody in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, where the medicament is to be administered in a method comprising:

-   -   (a) administering a batch of at least two doses of         anti-sclerostin antibody to a subject in need of such treatment;     -   (b) then allowing the subject a dosing holiday, which is greater         in length than the time interval been two successive doses in         the batch of (a); and     -   (c) administering to the subject at least one further dose of         anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b).

Additionally, the invention provides for the use of an anti-sclerostin antibody in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, where the medicament is to be administered in a method comprising:

-   -   (a) administering at least one dose of anti-sclerostin antibody         to a subject in need of such treatment and monitoring the         subject to identify whether the subject shows a reduced response         to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody; and     -   (b) if such a reduced response is identified, allowing the         subject a dosing holiday which is at least four weeks in length.

The invention further provides for the use of an anti-sclerostin antibody in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, where the medicament is to be administered in a method comprising:

-   -   (a) administering a batch of at least two doses of         anti-sclerostin antibody to a subject in need of such treatment         and monitoring the subject to identify when the subject shows a         reduced response to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody;     -   (b) when such a reduced response is identified, allowing the         subject a dosing holiday which is greater in length than the         time interval been two successive doses in the batch of (a); and     -   (c) administering to the subject at least one further dose of         anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b).

The invention also provides for the use of an anti-sclerostin antibody in the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, where the medicament is to be administered in a method comprising:

-   -   (a) administering to a subject in need of such treatment a batch         of at least two doses of anti-sclerostin antibody;     -   (b) then allowing the subject a dosing holiday which is greater         in length than the interval been two successive doses in the         batch of (a), where during that interval the subject is         administered a different treatment for the bone disorder; and     -   (c) after the dosing holiday of (b) administering to the subject         at least one further dose of anti-sclerostin antibody.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the results of a preliminary experiment to measure the kinetics of P1NP response after subcutaneous administration of anti-sclerostin antibody to help gauge when best to measure P1NP levels in the subsequent experiments. Circulating P1NP levels for two mice dosed subcutaneously with 10 mg/kg on day 0 are shown (square and diamond symbols) along with the level of anti-sclerostin antibody in a similarly dosed mouse (triangular symbols).

FIG. 2 shows how P1NP response to anti-sclerostin antibodies falls after multiple doses of antibody. P1NP levels are shown for group A mice administered saline alone (diamond symbols), group B mice (square symbols) administered subcutaneously 10 mg/kg anti-sclerostin antibody at the time points indicated at the bottom of the graph and group C mice (triangular symbols) administered saline, except for a single dose of antibody at the time-point depicted. The statistics use an unpaired T test (two tailed) looking at difference of absolute values at day of test. For the results shown the group B mice were administered antibody doses at days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28, with the single doses for the group C subgroups administered at either day 14 or 28.

FIG. 3 shows that the decline in plasma P1NP levels after multiple doses of antibody is not due to more rapid elimination of the antibody in the multiple dosed group. The level of antibody is shown for the repeat dose group B and single dose group C immediately before a dose of 10 mg/kg of antibody given subcutaneously on day 28 and the level four days after the dose of antibody at day 32 (mean and SEM levels).

FIG. 4 shows the kinetics of P1NP induction are the same in mice given a single dose or multiple doses of anti-sclerostin antibody, only the magnitude of the P1NP induction is different between the two groups. The P1NP levels for series 1 (diamond symbols) and series 2 (square symbols) are shown where the mice were given a single dose of anti-sclerostin antibody, as well as the levels for the series 3 mice (triangular symbols) given multiple doses of anti-sclerostin antibody. The time of the administration of the antibody is shown by the arrows under the graph.

FIG. 5 shows P1NP levels in groups A, B and subgroups of group C given a single dose of antibody at the depicted time point. The symbols are the same as indicated above for FIG. 2. The dosing schedule for group B is shown by arrows at the bottom of the graph and corresponds to doses at days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 and days 84, 91, 98, 105, 112 119 and 176 (no baseline sample was taken on day 119). Hence, there were dosing holidays between days 28 and 84 and also days 119 and 176. The single doses for the group C subgroups were at days 14, 28, 84, 119 and 176. The statistics use an unpaired T test (two tailed) looking at difference of absolute values at day of test.

FIG. 6 shows bone mineral density in group A mice (circular symbols) and group B mice (square symbols). The dosing schedule for the group B animals is shown at the bottom of the graph.

FIG. 7 is a chart listing amino acid sequences and sequence identifiers for amino acid sequences of various anti-sclerostin antibodies described herein. The sequence identifiers refer to amino acid sequences provided in the Sequence Listing submitted herewith. The amino acid sequences also are set forth in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747, hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 8 is a listing of amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences set forth in International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/115732, referred to herein.

FIG. 9 is a listing of amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences set forth in International Patent Publication No. WO 2009/047356, referred to herein.

FIG. 10 is a listing of amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences set forth in International Patent Publication No. WO 2010/130830, referred to herein.

FIG. 11A is a graph illustrating P1NP levels in mice receiving five weekly doses of anti-sclerostin antibody followed by a single dose of anti-sclerostin antibody after a two week (administration on day 42), four week (administration on day 56), or six week (administration on day 70) holiday (triangle symbols) and age-matched mice receiving a single dose of anti-sclerostin antibody on day 28, day 42, day 46, or day 70 (square symbols). P1NP levels (ng/ml) are depicted on the y-axis, and day of the study is depicted on the x-axis. FIG. 11B is a bar graph illustrating total bone mineral density (BMD; g/cm2; y-axis) measured at various time points (days, x-axis). Bars denoted “#” correspond to measurements taken in mice receiving five weekly doses of anti-sclerostin antibody (fifth dose administered on day 28) followed by a single dose of anti-sclerostin antibody on days 42, 56, or 70 (corresponding to a two week, four week, or six week holiday, respectively). Bars denoted “+” correspond to measurements taken in mice receiving a single dose of anti-sclerostin antibody on days 28, 42, 56, or 70 of the study.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unexpectedly, it has been shown that it is possible to reverse, or reduce, the resistance which develops when multiple doses of anti-sclerostin antibody are administered by allowing the subject a dosing holiday where they are not administered the antibody. After the dosing holiday, the subject typically shows an increased response to the anti-sclerostin antibody in comparison to a response prior to the dosing holiday.

Dosing

Prior to being given a dosing holiday, the subject will have been administered at least one dose of anti-sclerostin antibody. Typically, the subject will have been given a plurality of doses prior to the holiday. For instance, the subject may have been given a batch of at least two doses of the anti-sclerostin antibody prior to the dosing holiday. Preferably, the subject may have been administered three, four, five, or at least those numbers of doses of antibody before being given a dosing holiday. The administration of such a batch of doses may form part of the invention.

In some cases, the subject may be given a batch of two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or more doses prior to the dosing holiday, or at least that number of doses. In some instances, the subject may have been given a batch of ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen or more doses of the antibody. In some instances the subject may have been given a batch of ten or less, nine or less, eight or less, seven or less, six or less or five or less doses, where the number of doses given is at least two, preferably at least three and more preferably at least four doses. It may be that the subject is given a batch of from two to sixteen doses, such as from two to fourteen doses or from two to twelve doses. In some instances, the subject may have been given a batch of from two to seven, from two to six, from two to five, or from two to four doses prior to the holiday. In other instances, the number of doses may be from three to eight, seven, six, five or four doses. In other instances, the number of doses in the batch may be from four to eight, seven, six, or five doses. In some instances, the subject may have been given twelve doses of the antibody. In one instance, the subject will have been administered, or is administered, a batch of doses, where the overall time period for the batch is at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven or twelve months or, for example, at least about 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 or 24 weeks in length. In one instance, the overall duration of a batch of doses may be about six months, twelve months (i.e., one year) or eighteen months.

In some instances, the interval between individual doses in a batch may be about two weeks. In other cases, the interval may be longer. For instance, the interval may be about a month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months or longer. In some cases, the interval between doses in a batch may be about every two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight weeks. In some cases, the interval between doses in a batch may be about from one week to six months, from two weeks to four months, from three weeks to six weeks, or from four to five weeks. In one preferred instance, the interval between doses may be about a month or may be about four weeks. In other instances, the interval may be about 7 days, a week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, four weeks, 1 month, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 2 months, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks or 3 months. In some instances, the interval between doses in a batch may be about a day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, seven days or longer. In some instances, the doses may be given once, twice, three, four, five, six or seven times a week.

In some instances, the doses in a batch may be administered every week, two weeks, four weeks, six weeks or eight weeks, or about such intervals. The intervals between doses in a batch may be, for instance, monthly, two monthly or three monthly, or about those intervals. In some cases individual doses of antibody may be given more than once a week, such as two, three or four times a week. For instance, doses may be administered in some cases every two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight days to the subject.

In some instances, the invention may entail administering any of the above specified batches of dosages, for instance as part of the method of the invention. In some instances, the subject may have been known to have been administered such a number of doses, but the administration of the batch of the doses does not form part of the method, rather the subject is simply given a dosing holiday prior to being administered a further batch of doses.

In some cases the number of doses given to the subject is such that a drop of the response of the subject to the antibody is seen for at least one of the doses given in a batch, for instance for the last dose prior to the holiday being initiated. The dosing holiday may begin when the subject first shows a reduction in the response to the antibody. In some instances, the dosing holiday may begin after one, two or three doses showing a reduced effect. For instance, in some cases the dosing holiday may be started where a subsequent dose shows a reduced effect in comparison to the response seen with the first dose of the antibody given to the subject. In some cases, it may be that the average response seen for at least two doses is reduced in comparison to that seen for two earlier doses, particularly the first two doses.

In some instances, the subject may be actively monitored to determine the best time for the dosing holiday, in other cases the subject is not monitored for resistance. In some cases, the dosing holiday may be initiated when the response seen for a dose of antibody falls below 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% or less than the response seen with an earlier dose, such as for the first dose. In some instances, the dosing holiday may be initiated when the response to a dose is below such a percentage in comparison to what would be expected for a naive subject with the same disorder, such as an age and gender matched subject. In some instances, the drop in response may be at least 5%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50% or more. In some course the parameter used to gauge how much the response is reduced is any of those mentioned herein. In one preferred instance, the response may be that defined by reference to P1NP levels, though any of the markers discussed herein may be employed.

In some instances, the response may be that gauged using change in bone mineral density (BMD). The rate, or amount, of bone formation, the rate, or amount, of bone resorption, or any combination thereof may also be used as a parameter to define the response to the antibody. It may be that the anti-sclerostin antibody still brings about an increase in BMD, but the increase is less than that for a naïve subject. Hence, a reduced response may be one with a smaller increase than would be expected for a naïve subject, including for any of the markers discussed herein.

Dosing Holidays

Typically a dosing holiday is a time period where no anti-sclerostin antibody is administered to a subject. Such a dosing holiday may help reduce, reverse or prevent the reduced response to an anti-sclerostin antibody seen in subjects given a plurality of doses of the antibody and hence help improve the efficiency of treatment of bone disorders with anti-sclerostin antibodies. Typically, the dosing holiday will result in reversal or reduction of the reduced response displayed by the subject to the anti-sclerostin antibody. Hence, the subject may display a higher response to the antibody than prior to the dosing holiday. The subject may, for instance, display a response to the anti-sclerostin antibody which is closer to the “naïve” response to the antibody when the subject was first administered the anti-sclerostin antibody. For at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% of the naïve response or even about 100% of the naïve response. In a preferred instance, the dosing holiday will result in a higher response to the anti-sclerostin antibody as measured by a bone marker, such as a marker of bone resorption and/or formation, including any of those mentioned herein, particularly P1NP.

Typically, the administration of a batch of doses, followed by a dosing holiday and then administration of at least one dose of antibody, means that the dosing regimen followed is one of irregular dosing. Hence, the treatment may be characterized by irregular dosing, such as over the treatment period as a whole. The length of a dosing holiday may vary. A dosing holiday will be typically longer in length than the interval between individual doses in a batch, for instance the interval between doses in a batch of doses known to have been administered to the subject or administered to the subject as part of the invention. In some instances, the dosing holiday may be any of the above specified lengths as long as the interval between doses in the preceding batch is shorter. In some instances, the dosing holiday may be any of at least 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 10, 11 or 12 weeks or about such duration. It may be the dosing holiday is at least 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 weeks in length or may be of about such duration. In some instances, the dosing holiday may be from about four weeks to 52 weeks, for example from six weeks to 24 weeks, in some cases from eight weeks to 12 weeks. In some instances of the invention, the dosing holiday may be about two months, three months, four months, five months, six months, seven months, eight months, nine months, ten months, eleven months or twelve months or at least those time periods. In some cases the dosing holiday may be about, or at least, eighteen months in length. For instance, the dosing holiday may be about four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, ten weeks, or twelve weeks longer than the interval between doses in a batch of doses. In some instances, the dosing holiday may be equivalent to the total duration of a batch of doses, such as any of those specified herein, or in other instances it may be equivalent to the overall duration of a batch of doses, plus an additional two, four, six, eight, twelve or more weeks in length.

It may be that the dosing holiday is at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten weeks longer than the interval between two doses in the preceding batch, or the dosing interval may be of such length. In some cases the dosing holiday may be such a length longer than the average interval for three, four, five, six, seven or more doses in a batch or, for example, than the average interval between all of the doses in a batch. The total length of the dosing holiday may be, for example, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more weeks. For instance, the dosing holiday may be one, two, three, four, five or six months in length and in some cases may be at least a year, or eighteen months in length. In some cases, the dosing holiday may be from a month to a year, such as from two to six months in length. In some cases, the dosing holiday may be from four to sixteen weeks, for instance, from six to twelve weeks, for example from eight to ten weeks in length. In other instances, the dosing holiday may be about from six to eighteen months, for instance about a year. In some cases the dosing holiday may be about twice, three times, four times, five times, six times, seven times, eight times, nine times or more in duration than the interval between doses in a batch administered to the subject. In some instances, where a different treatment is administered during the dosing holiday, the duration of the dosing holiday may be the normal duration for a course of a different treatment for the disorder to be administered in the dosing holiday.

In some cases, the subject is given more than one dosing holiday. In particular, after the first dosing holiday, the subject is given at least two doses of the antibody and may, for instance, benefit from a further dosing holiday. In some cases, it may be that the subject is given two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more dosing holidays in the course of their treatment. The administration of at least two doses of the antibody, followed by a dosing holiday, may be referred to as a cycle and in some instances, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more such cycles may be used. In other instances, the overall total treatment period may be at least six months, nine months, a year, eighteen months, twenty-four months, or more. It may be that the overall treatment is at least 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48 or 52 weeks, or longer, or about such periods. In some instances, where the subject is being treated indefinitely with the antibody, it may be that the approach of batches of doses combined with dosing holidays is continued as long as the treatment lasts. In some instances, it may simply be that a set regimen of batch doses alternating with dosing holidays is administered. For instance, any combination of those batches and dosing holidays specified herein, for example for two, three, four, five, six or more cycles of a batch of doses followed by a dosing holiday may be administered.

In some instances, any of the batches of doses specified herein may be combined with any of the dosing holidays specified herein, as long as the dosing holiday is longer than the interval between doses in a batch. For instance, a batch of doses administered at daily, weekly, fortnightly, four weekly, six weekly or eight weekly intervals may be combined with a dosing holiday of at least six weeks, at least eight weeks, at least twelve weeks, at least 16 weeks, at least 20 weeks or at least 24 weeks, where the dosing holiday is longer than the interval between batches. In some instances, the doses in the batch may be given at about monthly or two monthly intervals and may be combined with a dosing holiday of at least three, four, five, six, eight, ten, twelve or more months in length. In some cases, the batch of doses may comprise three to fourteen doses at daily, weekly, fortnightly, four weekly or six weekly intervals, combined with a dosing holiday of at least six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen or more weeks in length, where the dosing holiday is longer than the interval between the doses in the batch. In one instance, a batch of monthly doses is combined with a dosing holiday of at least two, three, four, five, six, twelve or more months in length. In some instances, it may be that the doses in the batch are given about every four weeks.

In some cases, the interval between earlier doses will not be known and the subject will simply be one who is displaying a reduced response to the anti-sclerostin antibody in comparison to what would be expected for the subject. Hence, it may be that the length of the dosing holiday given is simply one of the above time periods without reference to the time between administration of earlier doses or the response to earlier doses. For example, the dosing holiday may be six weeks, eight weeks, twelve weeks, sixteen weeks, twenty weeks, twenty four weeks or more in length or any of the other possible lengths referred to. In some cases the subject may have been identified as one showing resistance to anti-sclerostin antibody, for example, even though the precise regimen previously administered is not known. It may be that they have been administered the antibody for at least about two, three, four, five, six or more months in length and hence be identified as a candidate for a dosing holiday. In some cases they may have been administered the antibody for at least about nine, twelve or eighteen months in length and hence be identified as a candidate for a dosing holiday. The subject may be displaying reduced or diminishing therapy from the existing therapy.

A fixed regimen of batch dosing and dosing holiday may be applied in some instances including any of those specified herein. It may be the fix regimen is designed with reference to age, gender, weight, the nature of the disorder, the severity of the disorder and so on.

Responses and Monitoring

In one instance, the response is the response as defined by a bone marker, for instance a bone formation and/or bone resorption marker, particularly any of those referred to herein. For instance, whether or not a response can be considered reduced may be, in some instances, defined by whether the response of the bone marker to administration of the anti-sclerostin antibody is reduced. Similarly, whether a dosing holiday may be said to prevent, or reverse, resistance to an anti-sclerostin antibody may be defined by the response of a bone marker and, for instance, the level of that marker. In a preferred instance, the response to the antibody is defined by P1NP level, particularly serum P1NP level.

In one instance, the response of the subject to a dose of anti-sclerostin antibody is measured to help gauge whether the subject is displaying resistance to the anti-sclerostin antibody. Any suitable means of measuring the response to the anti-sclerostin antibody may be employed. For instance, the level of a bone marker may be measured, in particular a marker of bone formation and/or mineralization may be measured in the subject. Markers of bone resorption may also be employed. In other instances, the invention itself does not entail measurement, or monitoring, of the response, but the response in question is that defined by a bone marker, such as, the level of any of the bone markers referred to herein.

Markers indicative of bone resorption (or osteoclast activity) which may be used include, for example, C-telopeptide (e.g., C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) or serum cross-linked C-telopeptide), N-telopeptide (N-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTX)), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), pyridinoline, urinary hydroxyproline, galactosyl hydroxylysine, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (e.g., serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b). Bone formation/mineralization markers which may be used include, but are not limited to, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), peptides released from N- and C-terminal extension of type I procollagen (P1NP, PICP), and osteocalcin (OstCa). Several kits are commercially-available to detect and quantify markers in clinical samples, such as urine and blood. In one preferred instance, the marker used is selected from the serum level of C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), osteocalcin (OstCa), and/or N-terminal extension of procollagen type 1 (P1NP). In a preferred instance, the response is the response to such a marker.

Other approaches for measuring the effect of the anti-sclerostin antibody include assessing bone mineral content and/or bone density. In some instances, the response in question may be defined by reference to bone mineral density (BMD) or bone mineral content (BMC). In some cases, it may be that the reduced response is a reduced rate of increase of BMD and/or BMC following administration of the antibody. In other words, administration of the antibody still results in an increase in bone formation and/or a reduction of bone absorption, for example in terms of BMD/BMC, but at a reduced rate compared to a naïve subject. The use of a dosing holiday may mean the subject again displays the same size of increase in such parameters as a naïve subject, or at least closer to a naïve subject.

Bone mineral density may be, for instance, measured using techniques, such as, single- and dual-energy X-ray absorptometry, ultrasound, computed tomography, radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The amount of bone mass may also be calculated from body weights or by using other methods (see Guinness-Hey, Metab. Bone Dis. Relat. Res., 5:177-181 (1984)). In humans, bone mineral density may be, for instance, determined clinically using dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of, for example, the hip and spine. Other techniques include quantitative computed tomography (QCT), ultrasonography, single-energy x-ray absorptiometry (SXA), and radiographic absorptiometry. Common central skeletal sites for measurement include the spine and hip; peripheral sites include the forearm, finger, wrist and heel. Except for ultrasonography, the American Medical Association notes that BMD techniques typically involve the use of x-rays and are based on the principle that attenuation of the radiation depends on thickness and composition of the tissues in the radiation path. All techniques may employ the comparison of results to a normative database or control subject.

In some instances, the bone mineral density (BMD) of the subject is compared to the peak density of a 30-year old healthy adult (i.e., a “young adult”), creating the so-called “T-score.” A patient's BMD also may be compared to an “age-matched” bone density (see, e.g., World Health Organization Scientific Group on the Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis, “Prevention and management of osteoporosis: report of a WHO scientific group.” WHO Technical Report Series; 921, Geneva, Switzerland (2000)). The difference between a patient's BMD and that of a healthy, young adult is conventionally referred to in terms of the multiple of a “standard deviation,” which typically equals about 10% to about 12% decrease in bone density. The World Health Organization proposed four diagnostic categories based on BMD T-scores. A BMD value within 1 standard deviation of the young adult reference mean (T-score>−1) is “normal.” Low bone mass (osteopenia) is indicated by a BMD value more than 1 standard deviation below the young adult mean, but less than 2.5 standard deviations (T-score<−1 and >−2.5). A T-score of more than 2.5 standard deviations below the norm supports a diagnosis of osteoporosis. If a patient additionally suffers from one or more fragility fractures, the patient qualifies as having severe osteoporosis. Hence, the invention may entail calculating the T-score for the subject, for instance, in response to a dose of anti-sclerostin antibody and determining whether there is a reduced improvement in the T-score following administration of a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody.

In some instances, the decision as to when to initiate the dosing holiday may therefore be based on assessing the response of the subject to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody and determining whether the response is lower than expected. The dosing holiday may be, for instance, initiated when monitoring shows a reduced response to a dose, or two consecutive doses, particularly in comparison to earlier doses, such as the first dose, or in comparison to the average response seen for the doses in the batch. The dosing holiday may be, for instance, begun, when the positive results seen with the treatment plateau or begin to tail-off for the batch of doses administered. It may be that the dosing holiday is administered when administration of the antibody results in a smaller increase of the particular parameter or marker than would be expected. For instance, when the response is less than 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 25% or less than that which would be expected from the equivalent naïve subject or displayed to an earlier dose by the same subject.

In some instances of the invention the subject may be administered a test dose of anti-sclerostin to gauge their response to the antibody. In particular, where the subject is known to have been administered at least two, three, four, five, or six doses of anti-sclerostin antibody previously or indeed any of the types of batch of doses specified herein. The test dose may be given, the response measured, and, if considered reduced, the subject will be given a dosing holiday. If the subject does not display a reduced response, they may be given further doses of anti-sclerostin antibody. In some cases, rather than a single test dose, the subject is administered at least two, three, four, five, or six doses and their response measured.

It may be, for instance, that a subject is monitored continuously, for example after each dose of anti-sclerostin antibody. It may be that the subject is monitored, for instance, about once a month, once about every two months, once about every three months, once about every four months, once about every six months or about once a year. It may be that the subject is monitored immediately before a dose is administered and then, for example, about one, two, three, four, five or six weeks later. It may be, for example, that the response seen for at least one, two, three, four, five or more doses is monitored. In some cases, the dosing holiday may be initiated when the monitoring shows the response is below an expected level for the subject or below a set cut-off value.

For instance, the dosing holiday may be initiated when the response for a dose is less than the response seen for an earlier dose, such as that for the first dose, or for the first dose in a batch of doses. The size of the response as a percentage of the response to an earlier dose may be determined, particularly the first dose, and it may be that when the percentage value falls to, or below, one of the percentage values specified herein the dosing holiday is begun.

In some cases, the response to a dose may be measured without any reference to earlier doses and simply the fact it falls below an expected value means a dosing holiday is initiated. Hence, in one instance, the method of the invention may comprise: (a) administering a dose of anti-sclerostin antibody to a subject who has previously been administered anti-sclerostin antibody; (b) measuring the response to the dose; and (c) assessing whether the dose is lower than that expected. If the response is lower than that expected, for instance below a threshold, then a dosing holiday may be given. If the response to the test dose is not though reduced, then the method may optionally comprise administering at least one further dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody to the subject and measuring until a reduced response is seen, then giving a dosing holiday. In some instances, it may be that the subject has already been administered at least three, four, five or six doses before the test dose.

A dosing holiday may include the administration of one or more test doses of anti-sclerostin antibody, where the test dose is used to determine if the resistance displayed to the antibody has diminished or been eliminated. In particular, where the test dose is used to determine whether to terminate the dosing holiday and again begin treatment with the anti-sclerostin antibody or continue the dosing holiday. Hence, in some cases, it may be that the subject may be given a dosing holiday and the end of the dosing holiday may be defined by when the subject displays an increased response to a test dose of anti-sclerostin antibody or, for instance, the subject displays resistance below a defined threshold, such as any of those mentioned herein.

In one case, the subject may be given a set pattern of a batch of at least two doses, followed by a set dosing holiday, without monitoring to determine when to initiate the dosing holiday. Such fixed batches of doses and dosing holidays may be, for example, based on the disorder to be treated, age, gender and weight of the subject. In other instances, it may be that a suitable cycle of a batch of doses and dosing holiday is determined on a particular cycle by monitoring and then adhered to on subsequent cycles to the same regimen.

In a preferred instance, where a test dose is given, what will be monitored, or how the response is defined, will be reference to a bone formation and/or resorption marker, including any of those referred to herein, particularly P1NP levels. It may be that the level of the marker is measured before administration of the dose, then, for instance, four, five, six, seven, eight, ten, eleven or twelve days after administration of the test dose.

In some cases, rather than determining the response to an individual dose, it may be that any of the parameters referred to herein are measured during a course of treatment to determine if they are less than expected or show a slower, or less marked, increase in the marker. It may be that the subject is assessed clinically to determine whether the effect of the treatment is less and so that a dosing holiday may be of benefit. It may be that the subject has regular checks, such as about monthly, three monthly, four monthly, six monthly or yearly intervals and such checks entail checking or measuring the effect of the anti-sclerostin antibody and/or dosing holiday, for instance to decide whether to commence a dosing holiday.

In some cases the invention may be administered to a patient group thought to be displaying resistance to anti-sclerostin antibodies, or thought likely to display such resistance to the antibody. In some cases, the invention may be applied to a patient group displaying a higher than average resistance to anti-sclerostin antibodies. It may be that such a patient population is identified using monitoring, such any of the monitoring means discussed herein, particularly any of the markers discussed herein. Identification of such patients may entail administration of a test dose as described herein, followed by measurement of the response and assessment of whether the response seen is less than expected. It may be though that the patients are identified due to the fact that they have been receiving anti-sclerostin antibodies and the improvement initially seen has diminished. It may be that whilst the subject still shows an improvement in bone mineral density, that the improvement is less than first seen or would be expected for a naïve subject. Hence, whilst administration of anti-sclerostin antibody may still promote bone formation and/or inhibit resorption, the effect may be less pronounced. In one instance, the invention may be applied to a subject who has been administered anti-sclerostin antibodies, but the treatment has been discontinued, particularly where the treatment has been discontinued because the subject is displaying a reduced response to the anti-sclerostin antibodies.

Any of the methods of the invention, and other aspects, may comprise first assessing whether a subject is one displaying resistance to anti-sclerostin antibodies and then applying the invention if the subject does display such resistance. Hence, if such resistance is displayed, the invention may then entail allowing the subject a dosing holiday to reverse or reduce that resistance.

Some markers may display diurnal variation, i.e., display variation in their level during the day. Hence, a marker may be measured at a specific time, or time period, in the day. In some instances, where a particular marker is measured more than once, it may be that the marker is measured each time at, or approximately at, the same time in the day, or in about a one hour, two hour, or three hour window. For instance, the marker may be consistently measured in the morning or consistently in the afternoon. In one case, any of the markers measured herein may be measured in such a manner, particularly including those known to show diurnal variation. In some instances, P1NP levels may be measured in such a manner. In some cases, where a marker is measured and compared to a standard, or expected value, the value is measured at a time in the day, or time period, consistent with the standard or expected value.

Doses

The amount of anti-sclerostin antibody administered as an individual dose to the subject may, for instance, comprise at least about 70 mg of the anti-sclerostin antibody. For example, in various aspects, the amount of anti-sclerostin antibody administered is at least about 120 mg (e.g., 180 mg) or at least about 140 mg, e.g., at least about 210 mg anti-sclerostin antibody. The amount of anti-sclerostin antibody administered may be, for instance, no more than about 350 mg anti-sclerostin antibody, e.g., no more than about 280 mg anti-sclerostin antibody (e.g., 270 mg), no more than about 210 mg of anti-sclerostin antibody, no more than about 140 mg anti-sclerostin antibody, or no more than about 120 mg anti-sclerostin antibody (e.g., about 120 mg of antibody). Put another way, a single administration or dose of anti-sclerostin comprises, for example, no more than about 350 mg of the antibody.

In some instances, the subject is administered a dose of anti-sclerostin antibody in an amount of about 70 mg to about 350 mg, such as about 70 mg to about 280 mg, or about 120 mg to about 350 mg, or about 140 mg to about 350 mg, or about 210 mg to about 350 mg, or about 280 mg to about 350 mg. Optionally, a single dose of anti-sclerostin antibody comprises about 70 mg to about 210 mg of anti-sclerostin antibody, such as about 70 mg to about 120 mg (e.g., about 70 mg) anti-sclerostin antibody, or about 70 mg to about 140 mg of anti-sclerostin antibody, or about 120 mg to about 210 mg anti-sclerostin antibody, or about 120 mg to about 140 mg of anti-sclerostin antibody. Optionally, a single dose of anti-sclerostin antibody comprises about 140 mg to about 210 mg (e.g., about 140 mg or about 210 mg) of anti-sclerostin antibody.

In some instances, the dose administered is between about 0.1 to about 20 mg/kg, or about 0.1 to about 12 mg/kg, or about 0.5 to about 12 mg/kg, or about 1 to about 10 mg/kg, or about 1 to about 8 mg/kg, or about 2 to about 8 mg/kg, or about 3 to about 8 mg/kg. In some instances, a dose is about 1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg (e.g., about 2 mg/kg or about 9 mg/kg), about 1 mg/kg to about 3 mg/kg, or about 3 mg/kg to about 8 mg/kg (e.g., about 4 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, or 7 mg/kg). In the case of individuals with significantly lower or higher weight than average, it may some times be that the dose is calculated based on a per weight basis specifically for that subject.

In some instances, particularly where the interval between doses is short, it may be that a low dose is employed. For instance, a lower dose may be employed where an interval between doses of less than two weeks, such as less than one week, in particular any of the time periods specified herein shorter than a week, is employed. For example, in some cases, the dose may be any of the above specified doses of 2 mg/kg or under. In some cases, the dose may be about, or under, 1 mg/kg, 0.75 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 0.25 mg/kg or 0.1 mg/kg. In some instances, a fixed dose is administered, such as any of about 1 to about 50 mg, about 1 to about 25 mg, about 1 to about 10 mg, about 1 to about 5 mg or about 1 to about 3 mg. For example, a fixed dose of from about 2 to about 5 mg, about 2 to about 7 mg or about 3 to about 8 mg may be employed.

Reference herein to a single dose may include multiple contemporaneous injections be administered to achieve delivery of the dose. For instance, several injections within the space of an hour, day or week.

Typically, the subject will be administered a plurality of doses of anti-sclerostin antibody and in particular a batch of doses. In some instances, all of the doses within a batch will be approximately the same amount, or actually the same amount. In some instances, the doses administered in the different batches will be the same. In others, the dose may vary between different batches. For instance, it may be that the dose is varied according to how the patient is responding to the treatment.

Anti-Sclerostin Antibodies

Any suitable anti-sclerostin antibody may be employed in the present invention. The term “antibody” refers to an intact antibody, or a binding fragment thereof. An antibody may comprise a complete antibody (immunoglobulin) molecule (including polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, humanized, and/or human versions having full length heavy and/or light chains), or comprise an antigen binding fragment thereof. Antibody fragments include F(ab′)₂, Fab, Fab′, Fv, Fc, and Fd fragments, and can be incorporated into single domain antibodies (e.g., nanobodies), single-chain antibodies, maxibodies, minibodies, intrabodies, diabodies, triabodies, tetrabodies, v-NAR and bis-scFv (see, e.g., Hollinger and Hudson, Nature Biotechnology, 23(9):1126-1136 (2005)). Antibody polypeptides, including fibronectin polypeptide monobodies, also are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,199. Other antibody polypeptides are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050238646. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,395,511 and 6,803,453, and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20040009535 and 20050106683 (incorporated in their entirety by reference for their disclosure of anti-sclerostin antibodies) refer to anti-sclerostin antibodies generally. The amino acid sequence of human sclerostin is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing and is provided as SEQ ID NO: 1 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747 (which patent publication is incorporated in its entirety for its description of sclerostin and sclerostin binding agents and Sequence Listing). Sclerostin also is described in Brunkow et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 68:577-589 (2001); and Balemans et al., Hum. Mol. Genet., 10:537-543 (2001). Additional information regarding materials and methods for generating anti-sclerostin antibodies can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20040158045 (hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).

An antibody fragment may be any synthetic or genetically engineered protein. For example, antibody fragments include isolated fragments consisting of the light chain variable region, “Fv” fragments consisting of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains, and recombinant single chain polypeptide molecules in which light and heavy variable regions are connected by a peptide linker (scFv proteins).

The antibody may be any class of antibody, but in a preferred instance the antibody is an IgG antibody.

Another form of an antibody fragment is a peptide comprising one or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of an antibody. CDRs (also termed “minimal recognition units” or “hypervariable region”) can be obtained by constructing polynucleotides that encode the CDR of interest. Such polynucleotides are prepared, for example, by using the polymerase chain reaction to synthesize the variable region using mRNA of antibody-producing cells as a template (see, for example, Larrick et al., Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology, 2:106 (1991); Courtenay-Luck, “Genetic Manipulation of Monoclonal Antibodies,” in Monoclonal Antibodies Production, Engineering and Clinical Application, Ritter et al. (eds.), page 166, Cambridge University Press (1995); and Ward et al., “Genetic Manipulation and Expression of Antibodies,” in Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Applications, Birch et al., (eds.), page 137, Wiley-Liss, Inc. (1995)).

Anti-sclerostin antibodies may, for instance, bind to sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a naturally occurring variant thereof, with an affinity (Kd) of less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁷M, less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁸M, less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁹M, less than or equal to 1×10⁻¹⁰ M, less than or equal to 1×10⁻¹¹M, or less than or equal to 1×10⁻¹² M. Affinity is determined using a variety of techniques, an example of which is an affinity ELISA assay. In various embodiments, affinity is determined by a BIAcore assay (a surface plasmon resonance assay). In various embodiments, affinity is determined by a kinetic method. In various embodiments, affinity is determined by an equilibrium/solution method. U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747 contains additional description of affinity assays suitable for determining the affinity (Kd) of an antibody for sclerostin.

Anti-sclerostin antibodies for use in the inventive method preferably modulate sclerostin function in the cell-based assay described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747 and/or the in vivo assay described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747 and/or bind to one or more of the epitopes described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747 and/or cross-block the binding of one of the antibodies described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747 and/or are cross-blocked from binding sclerostin by one of the antibodies described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747 (incorporated by reference in its entirety and for its description of assays for characterizing an anti-sclerostin antibody).

In various embodiments, the anti-sclerostin antibody binds to a sclerostin polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing and binds the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 (C4GPARLLPNAIGRGKWWRPSGPDFRC5; corresponding to amino acids 86-111 of SEQ ID NO: 1). Alternatively, or in addition, the anti-sclerostin antibody binds to a sclerostin polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and binds the sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NO: 2 (DVSEYSC1RELHFTR; corresponding to amino acids 51-64 of SEQ ID NO: 1), SEQ ID NO: 3 (SAKPVTELVC3SGQC4GPAR; corresponding to amino acids 73-90 of SEQ ID NO: 1), SEQ ID NO: 4 (WWRPSGPDFRC5IPDRYR; corresponding to amino acids 101-117 of SEQ ID NO: 1), SEQ ID NO: 5 (LVASC7KC8KRLTR; corresponding to amino acids 138-149 of SEQ ID NO: 1), SEQ ID NO: 70 (SAKPVTELVC3SGQC4; corresponding to amino acids 73-86 of SEQ ID NO: 1), SEQ ID NO: 71 (LVASC7KC8; corresponding to amino acids 138-144 of SEQ ID NO: 1), SEQ ID NO: 72 (C1RELHFTR; corresponding to amino acids 57-64 of SEQ ID NO: 1), or SEQ ID NO: 73 (C5IPDRYR; corresponding to amino acids 111-117 of SEQ ID NO: 1) within SEQ ID NO: 1. For example, in one aspect, the anti-sclerostin antibody binds a subregion of sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising SEQ ID NOs: 2-5 (and/or SEQ ID NOs: 70-73), optionally in its native three-dimensional conformation. Optionally, the anti-sclerostin antibody binds a peptide consisting of one or more of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, or SEQ ID NO: 73 of the Sequence Listing (e.g., a peptide consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO: 5 or a peptide consisting of SEQ ID NO: 70, SEQ ID NO: 71, SEQ ID NO: 72, and SEQ ID NO: 73).

In various aspects, the anti-sclerostin antibody is capable of neutralizing human sclerostin in a MC3T3 cell-based mineralization assay when there is less than a 6-fold excess of moles of sclerostin binding sites per well as compared to the number of moles of sclerostin per well. Mineralization by osteoblast-lineage cells in culture, either primary cells or cell lines, is used as an in vitro model of bone formation. An exemplary cell-based mineralization assay is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747 at, e.g., Example 8 (hereby incorporated by reference). MC3T3-E1 cells (Sudo et al., J. Cell Biol., 96:191-198 (1983)) and subclones of the original cell line can form mineral in culture upon growth in the presence of differentiating agents. Such subclones include MC3T3-E1-BF (Smith et al., J. Biol. Chem., 275:19992-20001 (2000)). For both the MC3T3-E1-BF subclone as well as the original MC3T3-E1 cells, sclerostin can inhibit one or more of the sequence of events leading up to and including mineral deposition (i.e., sclerostin inhibits mineralization). Anti-sclerostin antibodies that are able to neutralize sclerostin's inhibitory activity allow for mineralization of the culture in the presence of sclerostin such that there is a statistically significant increase in, e.g., deposition of calcium phosphate (measured as calcium) as compared to the amount of calcium measured in the sclerostin-only (i.e., no antibody) treatment group.

When running the assay with the goal of determining whether a particular anti-sclerostin antibody can neutralize sclerostin, the amount of sclerostin used in the assay desirably is the minimum amount of sclerostin that causes at least a 70%, statistically significant, reduction in deposition of calcium phosphate (measured as calcium) in the sclerostin-only group, as compared to the amount of calcium measured in the no sclerostin group. An anti-sclerostin neutralizing antibody is defined as one that causes a statistically significant increase in deposition of calcium phosphate (measured as calcium) as compared to the amount of calcium measured in the sclerostin-only (i.e., no antibody) treatment group. To determine whether an anti-sclerostin antibody is neutralizing or not, the amount of anti-sclerostin antibody used in the assay needs to be such that there is an excess of moles of sclerostin binding sites per well as compared to the number of moles of sclerostin per well. Depending on the potency of the antibody, the fold excess that may be required can be 24, 18, 12, 6, 3, or 1.5, and one of skill is familiar with the routine practice of testing more than one concentration of binding agent (antibody). For example, a very potent anti-sclerostin neutralizing antibody will neutralize sclerostin when there is less than a 6-fold excess of moles of sclerostin binding sites per well as compared to the number of moles of sclerostin per well. A less potent anti-sclerostin neutralizing antibody will neutralize sclerostin only at a 12, 18 or 24 fold excess.

The anti-sclerostin antibody optionally has an IC₅₀ of 100 nM or less, or 75 nM or less, or 50 nM or less, or 25 nM or less for neutralizing human sclerostin in a cell-based assay, such as a bone specific alkaline phosphatase assay, e.g., the bone specific alkaline phosphatase assay described in International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/115732 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,874 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for its description of cell-based assays and anti-sclerostin antibodies). The bone specific alkaline phosphatase assay is predicated on the ability of sclerostin to decrease BMP-4 and Wnt3a-stimulated alkaline phosphatase levels in the multipotential murine cell line, C2C12. According to WO 2008/115732, a neutralizing anti-sclerostin antibody mediates a dose-dependent increase of alkaline phosphatase activity in this assay.

Alternatively or in addition, the anti-sclerostin antibody has an IC₅₀ of 100 nM or less (e.g., 75 nM or less, or 50 nM or less) for neutralizing human sclerostin in a cell-based Wnt signalling assay in HEK293 cell lines, such as the Wnt assay involving Wnt1-mediated induction of STF reporter gene described in, e.g., International Patent Publication No. WO 2009/047356 (incorporated by reference for its discussion of anti-sclerostin antibodies and cell-based assays). Alternatively or in addition, the anti-sclerostin antibody has an IC₅₀ of 500 nM or less (e.g., 250 nM or less, 150 nM or less, 100 nM or less, or 50 nM or less) for neutralizing human sclerostin in a BMP2-induced mineralization assay in MC3T3 cells, such as the mineralization assay described in, e.g., International Patent Publication No. WO 2009/047356.

Examples of anti-sclerostin antibodies suitable for use in the context of the invention are described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20070110747 and 20070072797, which are hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment of the invention, the anti-sclerostin antibody cross-blocks the binding of at least one of antibodies Ab-A, Ab-B, Ab-C, Ab-D, Ab-1, Ab-2, Ab-3, Ab-4, Ab-5, Ab-6, Ab-7, Ab-8, Ab-9, Ab-10, Ab-11, Ab-12, Ab-13, Ab-14, Ab-15, Ab-16, Ab-17, Ab-18, Ab-19, Ab-20, Ab-21, Ab-22, Ab-23, or Ab-24 (all of which are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747) to sclerostin. Alternatively or in addition, the anti-sclerostin antibody is cross-blocked from binding to sclerostin by at least one of antibodies Ab-A, Ab-B, Ab-C, Ab-D, Ab-1, Ab-2, Ab-3, Ab-4, Ab-5, Ab-6, Ab-7, Ab-8, Ab-9, Ab-10, Ab-11, Ab-12, Ab-13, Ab-14, Ab-15, Ab-16, Ab-17, Ab-18, Ab-19, Ab-20, Ab-21, Ab-22, Ab-23, or Ab-24 (all of which are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747). The terms “cross-block,” “cross-blocked,” and “cross-blocking” are used interchangeably herein to mean the ability of an antibody to interfere with the binding of other antibodies to sclerostin. The extent to which an antibody is able to interfere with the binding of another to sclerostin, and therefore whether it can be said to cross-block, can be determined using competition binding assays. In some aspects of the invention, a cross-blocking antibody or fragment thereof reduces sclerostin binding of a reference antibody between about 40% and about 100%, such as about 60% and about 100%, specifically between 70% and 100%, and more specifically between 80% and 100%. A particularly suitable quantitative assay for detecting cross-blocking uses a Biacore machine which measures the extent of interactions using surface plasmon resonance technology. Another suitable quantitative cross-blocking assay uses an ELISA-based approach to measure competition between antibodies in terms of their binding to sclerostin.

Examples of suitable anti-sclerostin antibodies and fragments thereof include antibodies and antibody fragments having one or more of CDR-H1, CDR-H2, CDR-H3, CDR-L1, CDR-L2 and CDR-L3 specifically disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747. At least one of the regions of CDR-H1, CDR-H2, CDR-H3, CDR-L1, CDR-L2, and CDR-L3 may have at least one amino acid substitution, provided that the antibody retains the binding specificity of the non-substituted CDR. Preferably, the anti-sclerostin antibody is Ab-A, Ab-B, Ab-C, Ab-D, Ab-1, Ab-2, Ab-3, Ab-4, Ab-5, Ab-6, Ab-7, Ab-8, Ab-9, Ab-10, Ab-11, Ab-12, Ab-13, Ab-14, Ab-15, Ab-16, Ab-17, Ab-18, Ab-19, Ab-20, Ab-21, Ab-22, Ab-23, or Ab-24 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747.

In addition, the anti-sclerostin antibody can comprise at least one CDR sequence having at least 75% identity (e.g., 100% identity) to a CDR selected from SEQ ID NOs: 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 78, 79, 80, 81, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 351, 352, 353, 358, 359, and 360 provided in the Sequence Listing and disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747. Preferably, the anti-sclerostin antibody comprises at least one CDR sequence having at least 75% identity to a CDR selected from SEQ ID NOs: 245, 246, 247, 78, 79, 80, 269, 270, 271, 239, 240, and 241, all of which is provided in the Sequence Listing and described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747. As described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747, the anti-sclerostin antibody can comprise: a) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:54, 55, and 56 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:51, 52, and 53; b) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:60, 61, and 62 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:57, 58, and 59; c) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:48, 49, and 50 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:45, 46, and 47; d) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:42, 43, and 44 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:39, 40, and 41; e) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:275, 276, and 277 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:287, 288, and 289; f) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:278, 279, and 280 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:290, 291, and 292; g) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:78, 79, and 80 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 245, 246, and 247; h) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:81, 99, and 100 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:248, 249, and 250; i) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:101, 102, and 103 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:251, 252, and 253; j) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:104, 105, and 106 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:254, 255, and 256; k) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:107, 108, and 109 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:257, 258, and 259; 1) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:110, 111, and 112 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:260, 261, and 262; m) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:281, 282, and 283 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:293, 294, and 295; n) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:113, 114, and 115 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:263, 264, and 265; o) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:284, 285, and 286 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:296, 297, and 298; p) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:116, 237, and 238 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:266, 267, and 268; q) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:239, 240, and 241 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270, and 271; r) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:242, 243, and 244 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:272, 273, and 274; or s) CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:351, 352, and 353 and CDR sequences of SEQ ID NOs:358, 359, and 360.

The anti-sclerostin antibody also can comprise at least one CDR sequence having at least 75% identity (e.g., 100% identical) to a CDR selected from CDR-H1, CDR-H2, CDR-H3, CDR-L1, CDR-L2, and CDR-L3 wherein CDR-H1 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 245, CDR-H2 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 246, CDR-H3 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 247, CDR-L1 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 78, CDR-L2 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 79 and CDR-L3 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 80, all of which is provided in the Sequence Listing and described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747. The anti-sclerostin antibody, in various aspects, comprises two of the CDRs or six of the CDRs. Optionally, the anti-sclerostin antibody comprises heavy chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 378 and light chains comprising SEQ ID NO 376 provided in the Sequence Listing.

The anti-sclerostin antibody also can comprise at least one CDR sequence having at least 75% identity (e.g., 100% identical) to a CDR selected from CDR-H1, CDR-H2, CDR-H3, CDR-L1, CDR-L2, and CDR-L3 wherein CDR-H1 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 269, CDR-H2 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 270, CDR-H3 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 271, CDR-L1 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 239, CDR-L2 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 240 and CDR-L3 has the sequence given in SEQ ID NO 241, all of which is provided in the Sequence Listing and described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747. The anti-sclerostin antibody, in various aspects, comprises two of the CDRs or six of the CDRs. Optionally, the anti-sclerostin antibody comprises heavy chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 366 and light chains comprising SEQ ID NO 364 provided in the Sequence Listing.

Alternatively, the anti-sclerostin antibody can have a heavy chain comprising CDR's H1, H2, and H3 and comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 137 or a variant thereof in which said CDR's are at least 75% identical (e.g., 100% identical) to SEQ ID NO: 245, 246, and 247, respectively, and a light chain comprising CDR's L1, L2 and L3 and comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 133 or a variant thereof in which said CDR's are at least 75% identical (e.g., 100% identical) to SEQ ID NO: 78, 79, and 80, respectively (as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747).

The anti-sclerostin antibody may have a heavy chain comprising CDR's H1, H2, and H3 and comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 145 or 392 or a variant thereof in which said CDR's are at least 75% identical (e.g., 100% identical) to SEQ ID NO: 245, 246, and 247, respectively, and a light chain comprising CDR's L1, L2, and L3 and comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 141 or a variant thereof in which said CDR's are at least 75% identical (e.g., 100% identical) to SEQ ID NO: 78, 79, and 80, respectively (as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747).

The anti-sclerostin antibody may have a heavy chain comprising CDR's H1, H2, and H3 and comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 335, 331, 345, or 396 (provided in the Sequence Listing) or a variant of any of the foregoing in which said CDR's are at least 75% (e.g., 100% identical) identical to SEQ ID NO: 269, 270, and 271, respectively, and a light chain comprising CDR's L1, L2, and L3 and comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 334 or 341 (provided in the Sequence Listing) or a variant of any of the foregoing in which said CDR's are at least 75% identical (e.g., 100% identical) to SEQ ID NO: 239, 240, and 241, respectively (as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747). All combinations of the heavy and light chain sequences are contemplated (e.g., heavy chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 335 and light chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 334; heavy chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 331 and light chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 334 or 341; and heavy chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 345 or 396 and light chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 341).

Alternatively, the anti-sclerostin antibody has a heavy chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:137, and a light chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:133; a heavy chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:145 or 392, and a light chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO: 141; a heavy chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:335, and a light chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:334; a heavy chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:331, and a light chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:341; or a heavy chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:345 or 396, and a light chain comprising a polypeptide having the sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:341 (provided in the Sequence Listing and as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747).

Examples of anti-sclerostin antibodies also include, but are not limited to, the anti-sclerostin antibodies disclosed in International Patent Publication Nos. WO 2008/092894, WO 2008/115732, WO 2009/056634, WO 2009/047356, WO 2010/100200, WO 2010/100179, WO 2010/115932, and WO 2010/130830 (each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), such as an anti-sclerostin antibody comprising CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 20-25 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/115732 (FIG. 8), an anti-sclerostin antibody comprising CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 26-31 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/115732 (FIG. 8), an anti-sclerostin antibody comprising CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 32-37 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/115732 (FIG. 8), an anti-sclerostin antibody comprising CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 15, 26, 37, 48, and 59 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2009/047356 (FIG. 9), or an anti-sclerostin antibody comprising the amino acid sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 135-143, 153-161, or 171-179 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2010/130830 (FIG. 10).

In one instance, the antibody employed comprises CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 20-25 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/115732 (FIG. 8), CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 26-31 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/115732 (FIG. 8), or CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 32-37 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/115732 (FIG. 8). In another instance, the antibody comprises CDRs of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 15, 26, 37, 48, and 59 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2009/047356 (FIG. 9). In a further instance, the antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 135-143, 153-161, or 171-179 of International Patent Publication No. WO 2010/130830 (FIG. 10). The disclosure of WO 2008/115732, WO 2009/047356 and WO 2010/130830 is incorporated herein in its entirety, including specifically the referenced CDR sequences and description of antibodies comprising the CDR sequences.

In one instance, the antibody employed may be an antibody capable of cross-blocking any of those antibodies specified herein and in particular an antibody that cross-blocks any of Ab-13, Ab-C and Ab-D referred to herein. In this regard, the anti-sclerostin antibody optionally cross-blocks the binding of a second antibody to sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1 or is cross-blocked from binding to sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1 by the second antibody, wherein the second antibody comprises light chains comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 205 and heavy chains comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 209; light chains comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 and heavy chains comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19; or light chains comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 and heavy chains comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11 (provided in the Sequence Listing).

Additional Treatments for Bone Disorders

In some instances, the subject may be administered an additional agent to treat their bone disorder. The subject may be, for instance, treated with any other therapy for treating bone disorders. For example, the additional treatment may be at the same time, overlapping with, or alternating with, the anti-sclerostin antibody treatment of the invention. In one instance, the subject may be administered vitamin D.

In one preferred instance, the second therapeutic agent is given in the dosing holiday for the anti-sclerostin antibody. Hence, whilst the dosing holiday allows resistance to the anti-sclerostin antibody to diminish, the subject is treated with the second therapeutic agent in the dosing holiday. Alternating treatments in that way may, in some instances, helps avoid possible detrimental effects associated with giving the other treatment for an extended, unbroken, period.

In one instance, the other therapeutic agent may be a bone resorption inhibitor. For instance, any suitable anti-resorptive may be employed. In one preferred instance, the bone resorption inhibitor is a bisphosphonate, particularly a nitrogen containing bisphosphonate. Examples of bisphosphonates include, but are not limited to, Alendronate, bonefos ciodronate, etidronate, ibandronic acid, olpadronate, neridronate, risedronate sodium, skelid, and zoledronic acid. In one preferred instance, the bisphosphonate is zoledronic acid. Bisphosphonates which may be employed include, for instance, Actoneff, Aclasta™/Reclast™, Boniva™/Bonviva™, Fosamax™, and Zometa™. An advantage of alternating between the anti-sclerostin antibody and bisphosphonate is that it may help avoid possible side effects arising from the subject being treated with bisphosphonates for a prolonged period. Hence, alternating helps avoid such side-effects, whilst also addressing the problem of resistance developing to the antibody.

Selected estrogen receptor modulators may be employed as bone resorption inhibitors, for instance, arzoxifene, bazedoxifene, FC 1271, lasofoxifene, raloxifene, and Tibolone are examples of suitable SERMs. Other bone resorption inhibitors which may be used include estrogen and calcitonin, with examples of calcitonin including salmon calcitonins, such as Miacalcin™.

Strontium compounds may be employed as the bone resorption inhibitor and in one particular instance the compound is strontium ranelate. In other instances, the additional treatment administered may be PTH, in particular recombinant parathyroid hormone releasing peptide.

In various embodiments, the bone resorption inhibitor is a RANKL inhibitor, such as an anti-RANKL antibody. In one preferred instance, the bone resorption inhibitor employed may be denosumab.

In some instances the anti-resorptive employed is not a bisphosphonate. Examples, of such agents which may be employed include PROLIA®, calcitonin, and cathepsin K inhibitors (e.g., odanacatib).

In various embodiments, the second therapeutic agent is an anabolic agent, such as parathyroid hormone or analogs thereof (e.g., teriparatide (FORTEO®).

In one case, a bone resorption inhibitor may be administered at the same time, or approximately the same time, as the antibody, or so the two therapies overlap. It may be that the bone resorption inhibitor is given to help prolong further the effect of the anti-sclerostin antibody by reducing the breakdown of bone that the antibody has stimulated and in particular where the compound is a bisphosphonate.

Disorders to be Treated

The invention is typically used to treat or help prevent a bone disorder. The invention may be, for example, employed to increase at least one of bone formation, bone mineral density, bone mineral content, bone mass, bone quality and bone strength. Hence, in one instance, the disorder to be treated via the invention is a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject.

The disorder may be a bone-related disorder associated with abnormal osteoblast or osteoclast activity. Examples of disorders associated with bone loss which may be treated include achondroplasia, cleidocranial dysostosis, enchondromatosis, fibrous dysplasia, Gaucher's Disease, hypophosphatemic rickets, Marfan's syndrome, multiple hereditary exotoses, neurofibromatosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteopetrosis, osteopoikilosis, sclerotic lesions, pseudoarthrosis, pyogenic osteomyelitis, periodontal disease, anti-epileptic drug induced bone loss, primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, familial hyperparathyroidism syndromes, weightlessness induced bone loss, osteoporosis in men, postmenopausal bone loss, osteoarthritis, renal osteodystrophy, infiltrative disorders of bone, oral bone loss, osteonecrosis of the jaw, juvenile Paget's disease, melorheostosis, metabolic bone diseases, mastocytosis, sickle cell anemia/disease, organ transplant related bone loss, kidney transplant related bone loss, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, epilepsy, juvenile arthritides, thalassemia, mucopolysaccharidoses, Fabry Disease, Turner Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome, leprosy, Perthe's Disease, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, infantile onset multi-system inflammatory disease, Winchester Syndrome, Menkes Disease, Wilson's Disease, ischemic bone disease (such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and regional migratory osteoporosis), anemic states, conditions caused by steroids, glucocorticoid-induced bone loss, heparin-induced bone loss, bone marrow disorders, scurvy, malnutrition, calcium deficiency, osteoporosis, osteopenia, alcoholism, chronic liver disease, postmenopausal state, chronic inflammatory conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory colitis, Crohn's disease, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, thyroid disorders, parathyroid disorders, Cushing's disease, acromegaly, hypogonadism, immobilization or disuse, reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, regional osteoporosis, osteomalacia, bone loss associated with joint replacement, HIV associated bone loss, bone loss associated with loss of growth hormone, bone loss associated with cystic fibrosis, chemotherapy-associated bone loss, tumor-induced bone loss, cancer-related bone loss, hormone ablative bone loss, multiple myeloma, drug-induced bone loss, anorexia nervosa, disease-associated facial bone loss, disease-associated cranial bone loss, disease-associated bone loss of the jaw, disease-associated bone loss of the skull, bone loss associated with aging, facial bone loss associated with aging, cranial bone loss associated with aging, jaw bone loss associated with aging, skull bone loss associated with aging, and bone loss associated with space travel. Bone loss, decreased bone mineral density, decreased bone volume, and/or decreased bone mineral content associated with these disorders may be treated in the context of the invention. In one instance, the subject to be treated may be pregnant. For instance, the invention may be employed to help in pregnancy-related bone loss. The invention may be used to slow, or reverse, bone loss in general.

In one instance, the condition to be treated is not bone fracture. In one particularly preferred instance, the condition to be treated is osteoporosis or osteopenia. In one instance, the subject to be treated is a postmenopausal woman, for instance, one with osteoporosis, particularly such a subject who is at increased, or high risk, for fracture, or has failed or is intolerant to other available osteoporosis therapy. In further instances, the invention may be employed in improving the outcome in a mammal undergoing one or more of an orthopedic procedure, dental procedure, implant surgery, joint replacement, bone grafting, bone cosmetic surgery and bone repair such as fracture healing, nonunion healing, delayed union healing and facial reconstruction.

Administration

Various routes of administering an antibody to a subject are known in the art and discussed in, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070110747. For example, in various embodiments, it is desirable to deliver a pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-sclerostin antibody subcutaneously, parenterally, intravenously, intramuscularly, or even intraperitoneally. Such approaches are well known to the skilled artisan, some of which are further described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,543,158; 5,641,515; and 5,399,363. Optionally, the anti-sclerostin antibody is administered subcutaneously.

Illustrative physiologically-acceptable (e.g., pharmaceutical) forms suitable for use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions (for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,468). The form must be sterile and is desirably fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists (i.e., is not excessively viscous so as to prevent passage through a syringe). A pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-sclerostin antibody may be placed within containers (e.g., vials or syringes), along with packaging material that provides instructions regarding the use of such pharmaceutical compositions. Generally, such instructions will include a tangible expression describing the reagent concentration, as well as within certain embodiments, relative amounts of excipient ingredients or diluents (e.g., water, saline or PBS) that may be necessary to reconstitute the pharmaceutical composition. In one instance, where the antibody is to be administered with an additional treatment for the bone disorder, the two may be formulated or packaged together, optionally with instructions setting out a method of the invention.

All of the references cited herein, including patents, patent applications, literature publications, and the like, are hereby incorporated by reference.

While this invention has been described with an emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations of the preferred compounds and methods may be used and that it is intended that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

The invention is further described in the following examples. The example serves only to illustrate the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES

Materials and Methods

Animals

Balb/c female mice obtained from Charles River UK (8-10 weeks of age at the start of the experiments) were maintained and studied in a manner in compliance with UK Home Office regulations.

The antibody employed in the present Examples was Scl-AbI (Eddleston et al, 2009, J Bone MinerRes, 24:1662-71—which is incorporated herein in its entirety). Scl-AbI was dosed at 10 mg/kg subcutaneously (control animals received PBS) at the time points showed in the Figures. Blood samples (tail tip bleeds) were taken mid-morning where indicated and frozen at −20° C. until assayed. At certain time points terminal blood samples were removed from euthanized animals to provide larger blood samples for assay.

Measurement of P1NP

P1NP was measured using a kit supplied ImmunoDiagnostic Systems (catalogue no. AC-33F1) according to the manufacturers recommended method.

Measurement of BMD

Animals were anesthetized by isofluorane inhalation. After being placed under general anesthesia, the mice were scanned on a Lunar PIXImus (GE Medical Systems) at the times shown.

Results

Determining P1NP Peak Levels Following Dosing

A preliminary experiment established that, following a subcutaneous dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody (10 mg/kg), peak P1NP levels were seen at day 4. This time point was used to monitor the P1NP response in animals subject to multiple doses of Scl-Ab, as discussed further below.

FIG. 1 shows the results of the preliminary experiment. P1NP levels for two mice dosed subcutaneously with 10 mg/kg of anti-sclerostin on day 0 are shown (square and diamond symbols). The kinetics of Scl-AbI following a single subcutaneous dose of 10 mg/kg are also shown in FIG. 1 (triangular symbols).

Multiple Dosing Experiments

Three groups of mice were established, the first group of mice (group A, n=10) was dosed with PBS on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. The second group of mice (group B, n=20) was dosed with Scl-AbI (10 mg/kg, s.c.) on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. The third group of mice (group C) provided a pool of aged matched control animals to determine the P1NP response in mice that had not previously been exposed to Scl-Abl.

Mice in group C were generally dosed with PBS on the same schedule as animals in groups A and B, except that on days 14 and 28 a subgroup of mice from group C (n=5 at each time point) were dosed with Scl-AbI (10 mg/kg s.c.) and the circulating P1NP levels measured 4 days later. These subgroups allowed assessment of the P1NP response in animals that were aged matched with the animals in group B, but were receiving Scl-AbI for the first time (as opposed to the repeat dosing of group B animals).

Blood samples were taken on days 0, 14, 18, 28 and 32 and circulating P1NP levels measured. FIG. 2 shows the P1NP levels in the different groups of animals. The results for group A (diamond symbols), group B (square symbols) and the subgroup of group C receiving the antibody at day 14 or 28 (triangular symbols) are shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a number of points. Firstly, P1NP levels in the PBS treated group (group A) fall with time. As the rate of bone synthesis would be expected to fall with age in the control group, that result was not unexpected. Secondly, the P1NP levels in group B mice (the group receiving multiple doses of Scl-AbI) at day 18 and day 32 (both time points are 4 days after receiving a dose of Scl-Ab) are significantly lower than the levels in mice from group C dosed with Scl-AbI (for the first time) at the same time points. This indicates that the P1NP response in mice receiving multiple doses of Scl-Ab (group B) is blunted compared with the response seen in age-matched mice dosed with Scl-Ab for the first time.

In order to determine if the result seen was due to reduced exposure to anti-sclerostin antibody in those mice receiving multiple doses, anti-sclerostin antibody levels were measured immediately prior to dosing on day 28 and four days afterwards on day 32 in mice from group B and those from group C given the single dose at day 28. FIG. 3 shows the results obtained and that the plasma levels of Scl-Ab on days 28 and 32 are not significantly different in mice from group B and group C, suggesting that the decreased P1NP response in the group B mice is not due to reduced exposure to Scl-Ab (as might happen due to rapid clearance if mice in group B mounted an immune response to Scl-Ab).

The kinetics of P1NP induction was compared, and is depicted in FIG. 4, for mice receiving a single dose of sclerostin at either day 0 or 35 (series 1—diamonds and series 2—squares), with mice receiving multiple doses (series 3—triangles). FIG. 4 shows that although the P1NP response is lower in mice receiving multiple doses of Scl-Ab, the peak of the response still occurs around day 4 and so it is not the kinetics of the P1NP response to the anti-sclerostin antibody which are changed, only the magnitude.

Dosing Holidays

The experiment shown in FIG. 2 was continued and the data from the whole experiment is shown in FIG. 5. Again, the results for group A are shown as diamond symbols, those for group B as square symbols and the single dose subgroups of group C as triangular symbols. The arrows at the bottom of the graph show the time of dosing for the group B animals. It can be seen from FIG. 5 that in group A animals (dosed only with PBS) P1NP levels fall until day 84 after which they reach a fairly stable plateau until the end of the experiment. After the dose of Scl-Ab at day 28 mice in group B were put on a dosing holiday with no further dosing of Scl-Ab until day 84. At this time point a sub-group of aged-matched animals (from group C) were also dosed with Scl-Ab. Surprisingly, the levels of P1NP at day 88 were not significantly different in animals that had received multiple doses of Scl-Ab and those receiving Scl-Ab for the first time. The results indicates that a dosing holiday allows reversal of the resistance (or tachyphylaxis) that develops in mice exposed to multiple doses of Scl-Ab.

Mice in group B received doses of Scl-Ab (10 mg/kg s.c) at days 91, 98, 105, 112 and 119. A sub-group of mice from pool C also received Scl-Ab on day 119. FIG. 5 shows that the P1NP levels in the group B mice were significantly lower than those in the age-matched mice receiving Scl-Ab for the first time. These data show that even after an initial dosing holiday to reverse P1NP tachyphylaxis in the group B mice, the tachyphylactic state re-occurs after multiple doses of Scl-Ab.

Following the dose of Scl-Ab at day 119 the mice in group B were given a second dosing holiday until day 176 when they were dosed again with Scl-Ab (10 mg/kg s.c). At the same time point a subgroup of aged-matched animals from pool C were dosed with Scl-Ab (10 mg/kg s.c) for the first time. Measurement of circulating P1NP levels on day 180 show that there is no significant difference in the PINP levels in the two groups indicating that a second dosing holiday again reversed the P1NP tachyphylaxis in the animals receiving multiple doses of Scl-Ab.

Bone mineral density (BMD) was measure in group A and B animals. FIG. 6 shows the results obtained and illustrates that following multiple doses of Scl-Ab the BMD in group B animals increased significantly compared to animals in group A (receiving only saline). BMD declined when Scl-Ab dosing was stopped (after day 28) but again increased when dosing was re-started at day 84 after the dosing holiday.

To further study the duration of tachyphylaxis associated with multiple doses of Scl-Ab, mice were given five weekly doses of Scl-Ab and a further dose after a two week, four week, or six week holiday (Group 1). In other words, subjects in Group 1 received a dose of Scl-Ab on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the study, and a subsequent dose on one of days 42, 56, or 70. For comparison, age-matched subjects, previously treated only with saline, were administered a single dose of Scl-Ab on day 28, 42, 56, or 70 (Group 2). Thus, Group 2 mice received only one dose of Scl-Ab, whereas Group 1 mice received multiple doses, optionally with a holiday before the final dose. P1NP levels were measured the day of antibody administration and one week after, and the responses of each group was compared (FIG. 11A). While P1NP levels increased in response to antibody administration in all groups, the increase in P1NP levels in subjects receiving a first dose of Scl-Ab on days 28 and 42 (Group 2) was greater than the increase in P1NP levels in mice previously treated with antibody (Group 1). Among Group 1 subjects, Scl-Ab administration triggered a greater increase in P1NP in subjects administered the dose after a two week holiday (day 42) compared to subjects receiving the dose at the end of the five week regimen (day 28). As illustrated in FIG. 11A, full responsiveness to the Scl-Ab appeared to return after four weeks without dosing (i.e., a four week holiday). The level of marker increase in Group 1 and Group 2 subjects administered Scl-Ab at day 56 (four week holiday) and day 70 (six week holiday) was similar. FIG. 11B shows the BMD in these mice; bars denoted “#” correspond to Group 1 subjects and bars denoted “+” correspond to Group 2 subjects. Hence, overall, the results obtained show that cycles of a series of doses followed by a dosing holiday may be employed to avoid the development of resistance to the anti-sclerostin antibody. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises: (a) administering a batch of at least five doses of anti-sclerostin antibody to a subject in need of such treatment, wherein the doses in the batch are administered at about monthly intervals, and monitoring the subject to identify a reduced response to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody; (b) then allowing the subject a dosing holiday, which is at least twelve months in length; and (c) administering to the subject a further batch of at least five doses of anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b), wherein the doses in the further batch are administered at about monthly intervals.
 2. The method of claim 1, where the method further comprises: (d) monitoring the subject to identify a reduced response to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody, and allowing the subject a further dosing holiday at least twelve months in length; and (e) administering to the subject a further batch of at least five doses of anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of step (d).
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the batch of doses in step (a) comprises from five to twelve doses of anti-sclerostin antibody.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein: the batch of doses in step (a) comprises from five to seven doses of anti-sclerostin antibody.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the batch of doses in step (a) comprises twelve doses, with the doses given at monthly intervals.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is administered a batch of from five to twelve doses of anti-sclerostin antibody in step (c).
 7. The method of claim 1, where the monitoring is performed using: (a) a marker of bone resorption selected from the group consisting of C-telopeptide, N-telopeptide, deoxypyridinoline, pyridinoline, urinary hydroxyproline, galactosyl hydroxylysine, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase; (b) a marker of bone formation and/or mineralization selected from the group consisting of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, peptides released from N- and C-terminal extension of type I procollagen, and osteocalcin; (c) assessing bone mineral content and/or bone density using a technique selected from the group consisting of single- and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, ultrasound, computed tomography, radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging; or (d) any combination of the foregoing.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises administering a different treatment for the bone disorder during the dosing holiday.
 9. The method of claim 8 where the different treatment is an anti-resorptive.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the different treatment is bisphosphonate.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the different treatment is denosumab.
 12. The method of claim 8 where the subject is one who has also been administered the different treatment prior to step (a).
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody demonstrates a binding affinity for sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1 of less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁷ M, where said anti-sclerostin antibody binds to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 6. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody demonstrates a binding affinity for sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1 of less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁷ M, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody binds the sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, or SEQ ID NO:
 5. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody binds a fragment of sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1 consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO:
 5. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody cross-blocks the binding of at least one of antibodies Ab-A, Ab-B, Ab-C, Ab-D, Ab-1, Ab-2, Ab-3, Ab-4, Ab-5, Ab-6, Ab-7, Ab-8, Ab-9, Ab-10, Ab-11, Ab-12, Ab-13, Ab-14, Ab-15, Ab-16, Ab-17, Ab-18, Ab-19, Ab-20, Ab-21, Ab-22, Ab-23, or Ab-24 to sclerostin and/or is cross-blocked from binding to sclerostin by at least one of antibodies Ab-A, Ab-B, Ab-C, Ab-D, Ab-1, Ab-2, Ab-3, Ab-4, Ab-5, Ab-6, Ab-7, Ab-8, Ab-9, Ab-10, Ab-11, Ab-12, Ab-13, Ab-14, Ab-15, Ab-16, Ab-17, Ab-18, Ab-19, Ab-20, Ab-21, Ab-22, Ab-23, or Ab-24.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody demonstrates a binding affinity for sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1 of less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁷ M and comprises a CDR-H1 of SEQ ID NO:245, a CDR-H2 of SEQ ID NO:246, a CDR-H3 of SEQ ID NO:247, a CDR-L1 of SEQ ID NO:78, a CDR-L2 of SEQ ID NO:79 and a CDR-L3 of SEQ ID NO:80.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody comprises heavy chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 378 and light chains comprising SEQ ID NO
 376. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody comprises heavy chains of SEQ ID NO: 145 or SEQ ID NO: 392 and light chains of SEQ ID NO:
 141. 20. The method of claim 8, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody demonstrates a binding affinity for sclerostin of SEQ ID NO: 1 of less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁷ M and comprises a CDR-H1 of SEQ ID NO:245, a CDR-H2 of SEQ ID NO:246, a CDR-H3 of SEQ ID NO:247, a CDR-L1 of SEQ ID NO:78, a CDR-L2 of SEQ ID NO:79 and a CDR-L3 of SEQ ID NO:80.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody comprises heavy chains comprising SEQ ID NO: 378 and light chains comprising SEQ ID NO
 376. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the anti-sclerostin antibody comprises heavy chains of SEQ ID NO: 145 or SEQ ID NO: 392 and light chains of SEQ ID NO:
 141. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of anti-sclerostin antibody administered for each dose is from about 50 to 250 mg.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of anti-sclerostin antibody administered for each dose is about 70 mg.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of anti-sclerostin antibody administered for each dose is about 140 mg.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the amount of anti-sclerostin antibody administered for each dose is about 210 mg.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has osteoporosis or osteopenia.
 28. The method of claim 17, wherein the subject is a postmenopausal woman.
 29. The method of claim 20, wherein the subject is a postmenopausal woman.
 30. A method for treating a bone disorder associated with at least one of low bone formation, low bone mineral density, low bone mineral content, low bone mass, low bone quality and low bone strength in a mammalian subject, which method comprises: (a) administering a batch of at least five doses of anti-sclerostin antibody to a subject in need of such treatment, and monitoring the subject to identify whether the subject shows a reduced response to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody; (b) if such a reduced response is identified, allowing the subject a dosing holiday which is at least twelve months in length; and (c) if a dosing holiday is given in (b), administering to the subject a further batch of at least five dose of anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b).
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein: (i) the subject is known to have been administered at least two doses of anti-sclerostin antibody prior to step (a); (ii) the subject is one considered to be likely to display reduced responsiveness to the anti-sclerostin antibody due to previous administration of the antibody; or (iii) a combination of the foregoing.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein the monitoring is performed using: (a) a marker of bone resorption selected from the group consisting of C-telopeptide, N-telopeptide, deoxypyridinoline, pyridinoline, urinary hydroxyproline, galactosyl hydroxylysine, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase; (b) a marker of bone formation and/or mineralization selected from the group consisting of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, peptides released from N- and C-terminal extension of type I procollagen, and osteocalcin; (c) assessing bone mineral content and/or bone density using a technique selected from the group consisting of single- and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, ultrasound, computed tomography, radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging; or (d) any combination of the foregoing.
 33. A method for treating osteoporosis in a postmenopausal woman, which method comprises: (a) administering a batch of at least five doses of an anti-sclerostin antibody to the woman at about monthly intervals, and monitoring the woman to identify a reduced response to a dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody; (b) then allowing the woman a dosing holiday of at least twelve months; and (c) administering to the woman a further batch of at least five doses of anti-sclerostin antibody after the dosing holiday of (b).
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein step (a) comprises twelve doses given at about monthly intervals.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein step (c) comprises twelve doses given at about monthly intervals.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein during the dosing holiday, the woman is administered a different treatment for osteoporosis.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the different treatment is bisphosphonate.
 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the different treatment is denosumab.
 39. The method of claim 33, wherein each dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody is 210 mg. 